Maintenance tips

Buying a home in the city means not having to worry about where the water flows when you take a shower, wash dishes or flush a toilet. But if you buy recreation property that is not connected to a community sewer system, then you will need to learn about septic systems.

A properly installed and maintained septic system can operate trouble free for many, many years. Following some helpful tips will insure that you don’t run into problems.

• Avoid overloading the system by using large amounts of water in a short period of time, such as doing laundry, running a dishwasher and several people having showers. You can reduce the water entering your septic tank by using low flow shower nozzles, energy efficient washing machines, and by repairing leaky toilets and dripping faucets. If you do use a lot of water, give your system time to rest after heavy use.

• Reduce the amount of items going down the drain that can tax a septic field’s ability to cope. Avoid using a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals add tremendously to the amount of solids entering your septic tank. Discard grease in the garbage instead of the drain. Grease can clog the septic tank or the soils surrounding the absorption field. Use toilet paper that decomposes easily. Purchase brands labeled "safe" for septic systems. Install a lint trap on your washing machine. Lint will clog the pipes in the absorption field. Use low phosphorus detergents and cleaning products whenever possible. Phosphorus is the nutrient most likely to cause damage to a lake after leaving your septic system. Also, use of liquid fabric softeners can contribute to excessive scum in the septic tank. Keep water softener discharges out of your septic system. Sodium in water softener water reacts with soil and reduces the absorption field's efficiency. Do not pour strong cleaning agents, chemicals, or old medicines down the drain. These kill beneficial bacteria that break down waste in your septic system. Keep all non-biodegradable items such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, paper towels, and plastic out of your septic tank. They can block the tank's outlet and necessitate expensive repairs.

• Keep the septic system in good shape with preventative maintenance. Inspect the tank every year. Measure the level of sludge buildup and inspect the baffles for scum. Pump your septic tank when necessary. Perform routine maintenance on any lift or distribution pumps associated with your system. Systems that utilize pumps will quickly back-up if a pump fails. Do not drive or park vehicles on your absorption field. Vehicles can compact soils and break pipes. Route surface water drainage away from your absorption field. Snowmelt, rain, and other surface runoff can temporarily inundate your field.

• If you are buying a home with a septic system or building a home, there are some additional things to keep in mind. Get complete design and maintenance records from the previous owner when you buy a house with a septic system. Know the location of the system's components. Make a sketch showing locations and distances, and keep it in a safe place. Driveways, patios, aboveground pools, and other structures should never be built over the absorption field. As much as one third of the water in septic effluent evaporates up through the ground over the absorption field. Locate your absorption field as far away as possible from surface water to reduce its potential of becoming a source of contamination. Keep trees and shrubs at least 35 feet away from your field to prevent roots from plugging or breaking pipes.